BUMS Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

bums 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of bum

as in cheeks

the part of the body upon which someone sits I decided to get off my bum and get some exercise

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bums

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of bum

as in beggars

an idle worthless person if you expect an allowance, you have to do some chores and stop being such a bum

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hoboes

a homeless wanderer who may beg or steal for a living I feel sorry for bums and occasionally give them money

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bums

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of bum

as in lounges

to spend time doing nothing spent most of the summer just bumming around the house

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bums

Noun

Zellers poured the foundation, and Morrison hired fellow ski bums to do the framing, masonry, and tiling. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Within the often zany and slapstick realm of Bob’s Burgers, Tina still manages to steal the show with her singular voice, romantic fantasies, and obsessions with unicorns and boy bums. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026 Kennedy’s Albany is a vital, violent place, a hothouse of gangsters, pool hustlers, bums, crooked politicians, and showgirls. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026 The Coliseum stayed in business for 500 years, bums in seats twice a week, watching people hack each other to death. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 History buffs, avid hikers, music lovers, wine aficionados, and beach bums will all find a town to love in the Old Dominion. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 For ski bums looking to hit the Colorado slopes without slogging through I-70 traffic, there’s no better destination than Winter Park. — Sarah Cahalan, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026 Expensive trip to modern backcountry huts Backcountry skiing is no longer just for ski bums. — Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026

Verb

The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 Critical thinking really bums them out. — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 The cranky and irritating backseat driver, who bums a lift midway through the Griswolds' adventure, also has with her the easily excitable pooch Dinky. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025 The only thing that bums me and Michael out is all the stuff that got cut for time. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bums

Noun

Makeup artist Jay Artistry’s advice to start with a small amount of lipstick on the cheeks and build gradually points the same way, favoring restraint over acquisition.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell uses subtle contour and highlighter to shape the cheeks without blush, according to ELLE.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of cheeks

Noun

That deal includes handbags, fashion backpacks, hobos, totes, crossbody bags, sling bags, satchels, duffel bags and boot bags, along with belts, wallets, wristlets, passport cases and key chains.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
From feeding hobos on the back porch in the night in the Great Depression to marching against wars for oil in the Eighties and Nineties.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of hoboes

Verb

The department also argues that threatening officers with prosecution for protecting their identities and their families chills enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive operations.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
With her severe bob and icy demeanor, Miranda chills her underlings to the bone.

— Jami Ganz, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of chills

Noun

With the balance of power in Tallahassee at stake, Miami’s Republican state senators fended off tough challenges Tuesday night, while Democratic candidates flipped several South Florida state House seats for the minority party in Florida’s capital.

— Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Trump choices could prove costly Republicans tried to buck historical precedent — a president’s party almost always loses seats during the midterms — with an aggressive redistricting effort aimed at creating a more favorable congressional map.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of seats

Noun

One of the tramps jumping off a freight car was the juvenile player, Frankie Darrow.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
In a California town called Anzar in the late-19th century, Paulette is living with a local magnate’s eccentric son who’s fascinated by the tramps gathering outside his manor.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tramps

Verb

Engineers will initially run the engine horizontally while the aircraft rests on its launch and recovery vehicle.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
The Heavenly Gate rests at the top tip of the ear, just above the triangular hollow, according to Avenue Five Institute.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026